Comments on: The Big Question: Black and White and Read All Over Edition

By: Sarah

Sarah — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 08:39:37 +0000

Ooops sorry for the double comment above! I though my first one didn’t go throgh :(

By: All Women Stalker

All Women Stalker — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 08:26:42 +0000

Sad to say, I think we’re a long way from that Plumcake.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 20:34:07 +0000

I’m with marjorie – in a magazine world where a size 12 is “plus size,” how can we ever expect to see someone who is ACTUALLY Honest To God Plus Size on a cover, in all her “curvy,” “beautiful at any size,” (insert other token words here) glory?

By: brooklynshoebabe

brooklynshoebabe — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 18:29:59 +0000

I would say “nope,” but I also thought I’d never see an African-American president in my lifetime either.

By: marjorie

marjorie — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:37:00 +0000

so not happening.

i’m curious whether you think a “big girl” will ever get a mainstream cover, let alone a Big Girl! even crystal still hasn’t managed it. (she had a german vogue cover, but it only showed her face, in supertight close-up.)

By: Sarah

Sarah — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 12:10:22 +0000

I think we have a LONG way to go before we see that happening!

Let’s face it, magazines are out there for a variety of reasons, but reason #1 is without a doubt to make money. With the world obsession of getting thin, looking skinny and dieting, it’s obvious that mags jump on this bandgawon, because that will make their mag sell! No matter what they say or how they try to twist their size acceptance cover tag lines, this is the way it is.

So until scoety’s perception in general changes, mainstream mags will just use what sells most. So there is still a LONG way to go I think!

By: Sarah

Sarah — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 12:03:27 +0000

I think we have a LONG way to go before we see that happening! Let’s face it, magazine are out there for a variety of reasons, but reason #1 is without a doubt to make money. With the world obsession of getting thin, looking skinny and dieting, it’s obvious that mags jump on this bandgawon, cause that will make their mag sell! No matter what they say or how they try to twist their size acceptance cover tag lines, this is the way it is. So until scoety’s perception in general changes, mainstream mags will just use what sells most. So there is still a LONG way to go I think!

By: Debs

Debs — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 03:50:05 +0000

I think Graciela pegged it. (I’m vampirically white). But I like to believe that people want to see a variety of looks and shapes in fashion magazines, like the latest V. And if that trend persists, and it is a matter of aeshetics and inclusiveness, we’ll be offered a wider range of choices. Maybe then, we can move on from “alternative shape” comments on magazine covers.

By: theDiva

theDiva — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:11:16 +0000

No. And what’s especially hilarious about the Glamour cover is the tag accompanying the photo of The Queen – “ENOUGH WITH THE UNREAL COVER GIRLS”.

“It’s not uncommon to have a mom, an aunt, a sister, a grandma with a thicker shape and they still work it and men go crazy for it. I see some of that in African American communities too.”

Yes, exactly. Well groomed, well dressed, and owning one’s inherent fabulousness.

By: Margo

Margo — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 22:06:39 +0000

I think (hope, pray) that the Lady Mags are in their death throes. Smaller readerships, splintering audiences, the (otherwise sad) ‘death’ of print, and the stronger and more public feminist dialogue that I have seen springing up in the mainstream more and more, as issues like health care, child care, abortion, and the contemporary problem of ‘the body’ are front and centre.

Which is to also say, no.